The companies could use the information to evaluate suppliers. The group, which also includes Imperial Tobacco Group and Cadbury Schweppes, was formed in partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project. The CDP, which issued its latest report last month, will survey the suppliers about their carbon emissions on behalf of the companies.
With the emissions data in hand, it could make it easier for the companies to put carbon labels on their products. Cadbury Schweppes is already testing such labels.

Two weeks ago, Wal-Mart announced similar plans to begin asking suppliers for data on their energy efficiency.